Digest

Long Beach : Union Endorses Candidates

The Long Beach Fire Fighters Assn., historically the employee union most active in local election campaigns, has endorsed incumbent council members in three races and a City Hall legislative aide in a fourth council race on the April 8 ballot.

The firefighters, who contribute money and manpower to endorsed candidates, are backing incumbents Jan Hall in District 3, Eunice Sato in District 7 and Warren Harwood in District 9.

The union said its longstanding policy has been to endorse incumbents if the council members had supported firefighters and been available to union officials.

In this case all three incumbents "have supported fire service issues dealing with pipeline safety, hazardous materials, new Fire Station No. 14, underground tank removal and maintaining a high level of fire and paramedic service," the union said.

The union also endorsed Joy Melton, legislative aide to District 1 Councilman Marc Wilder. Melton is running to replace Wilder, who is not seeking reelection. It said Melton has shown through her work for Wilder an ability to solve constituent problems and an understanding of the Fire Department operation.